RELEASE: Agriculture Stakeholders Call on Congress to Fund Advanced Research Agency in FY27

Washington, DC — March 10, 2026 — The Breakthrough Institute, joined by a broad coalition of scientific societies, research institutions, and agricultural stakeholders delivered a letter to the leaders of the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Agriculture. Nearly 60 research stakeholders call for sustained funding for the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA) in the upcoming FY2027 appropriations bill.

The letter emphasizes that bold, forward-thinking solutions are required to address modern agricultural challenges, such as high farm input costs and emerging pest and disease pressures like New World Screwworm. Advanced research investments can address these challenges while improving producer profitability and ensuring consumers have continued access to affordable food.

Established in the 2018 Farm Bill and modeled after successful agencies like the Department of Defense’s DARPA, AGARDA is designed to foster transformative research and technology transfer across the U.S. food and agriculture value chain.

The letter urges the Subcommittees to strive to provide $10 million for AGARDA, but no less than $1 million for FY2027. This funding level is necessary for AGARDA to appoint leadership, hire staff, and ensure USDA can leverage AGARDA to lead coordination with other research agencies—a critical component of USDA’s goal to promote innovation at the agriculture and national security nexus.

By supporting AGARDA, Congress can maximize the power of research collaboration across disciplines and unlock groundbreaking innovations to keep U.S. agriculture resilient and globally competitive.

Click here to read the full letter.

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Media Contact:

Emily Bass

Director of Federal Policy, Food and Agriculture

emily@thebreakthrough.org